topekatj Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 22 hours ago, JGravelin said: Golden Age for cheapie guits right now. Everyone is CNC, high tolerances, etc: electronics and pickups and output jack can be upgraded later just like PLENTY of people do on high-dollar brands daily. Run the racks. Epi, ESP, Schecter, Godin, Yamaha, Squire, Harley Benton, MIM Fender... put your hands on as many as you can and find a good one. Behold, my $200 partscaster shred machine. Yes it's a total smokeshow but it actually, truly rips! Whoa, Cool! Should we start calling you Nickelbag Gravelin? Lil’ Dime? Seriously, where did the 'red part' of the guitar originate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hbom Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 19 minutes ago, Biz Prof said: Have to admit that I'm intrigued by the faded Pelham Blue offering: https://www.thomannmusic.com/harley_benton_dc_junior_ltd_pelham_blue.htm Color wise that would be my choice too. But it wasn't/isn't available with the fat neck. And the FAT is a pretty nice neck! Not a ball bat but enough wood to get a good grip on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudshark Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 I love cheap gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmatthes Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 I was going to throw this in the ring as a sub-$1k wonder - I bought this one in absolutely brand new condish from a guy last year for $550 shipped, because he was an offset player who thought he'd like it...and didn't. Then I checked recent prices... If you can find one even remotely close to $1k, BUY IT. They're that good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGale Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 HA! Look what else FretKing has.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biz Prof Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 1 hour ago, cmatthes said: I was going to throw this in the ring as a sub-$1k wonder - I bought this one in absolutely brand new condish from a guy last year for $550 shipped, because he was an offset player who thought he'd like it...and didn't. Then I checked recent prices... If you can find one even remotely close to $1k, BUY IT. They're that good. I had a '91 Gibson reissue FBV and just couldn't get along with it at all. Now...looking at that Epi Bonamassa...I'd give that one a chance for $550! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbilly Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 the 90s usa standard strat I got for 175+ tax last week isn't easily repeatable, so it probably doesn't count for this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGale Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 So, copy is copy but the Fret King 338 copy reads.. "Carved from a solid mahogany blank, the Elise body has acoustically tuned chambers, a full length centre block, and double carved solid maple cap to create a vibrant semi acoustic body. The slick mahogany neck employs the Fret-King long-tenon neck joint, which mates precisely to the body underneath the neck pickup, forming a rigid fixed bond between neck and body, maximising the retention and transmission of the Elise's fundamental acoustic properties." I'm intrigued. Thanks Dave! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGale Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 And now for something completely different. Fret King Super-Matic guitar with Self Tuning Bridge designed by Trevor Wilkinson. Settings include Standard, Drop D, Open G, Open E, DADGAD and GDFCDG. https://reverb.com/item/51759277-fret-king-super-matic-guitar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGale Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 I bet you could get someone to route this for a neck pickup. https://reverb.com/item/42757596-fret-king-espirit-1-gun-hill-blue-electric-guitar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGale Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 What's the switch in the back for? https://reverb.com/item/48120354-2012-fret-king-elise-gg-black-label-cherry-red-hollowbody-electric-p-90-humbucker-combo-super-clean-like-new-w-hsc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim85IROC Posted April 12, 2022 Share Posted April 12, 2022 just to add more commentary to this thread, with some patience, I think it's quite possible to still get some US Hamers under $1k. My Special and my Eclipse were both under $1k. Granted I bought the Special a couple years ago, but it was WAY under $1k. The Eclipse I just bought in November. Neither are case queens, but both are great where they need to be... no fret wear, and no issues with playability. Hell, my Eclipse is still listed in the for sale forum for under a grand. I just never bumped the thread because I decided to try a pickup swap before I commit to letting it go. Another option that every Hamer person should look at are the Indonesian line of imported Hamers. A lot of people wax about the quality of the early Korean imported Hamers, but so far I've had 2 of them, and although they were nice, I didn't feel like they were as well built as the 2 Indonesian Hamers that I've got. I have a 2011 SATF P90 (it was my first Hamer and got me hooked), and also a 2017 Monaco. Both of these guitars are among the best guitars I have in my collection. When the right deals pop up I'm going to get more of the newer line of Hamers to see if what I have is a fluke or if they're really all this good. Fortunately, this isn't actually as clown-bursty in person as it is in the picture: The rosewood on this fretboard is insanely nice: And here's my SATF that was not only my first Hamer, but my first P90 guitar: If you get the chance to try out any of the Indonesian Hamers, be it from before Hamer went extinct or after it was resurrected, do yourself a favor and try it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucSulla Posted April 12, 2022 Author Share Posted April 12, 2022 18 hours ago, mudshark said: I love cheap gear. A telecaster and two boat paddles. I can make that joke. I grew up 90-minutes from Meridian, MS, haha. Even those old T-60s have climbed on up there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucSulla Posted April 12, 2022 Author Share Posted April 12, 2022 16 hours ago, Jimbilly said: the 90s usa standard strat I got for 175+ tax last week isn't easily repeatable, so it probably doesn't count for this thread. I see what you did there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hbom Posted April 12, 2022 Share Posted April 12, 2022 16 hours ago, JGale said: What's the switch in the back for? https://reverb.com/item/48120354-2012-fret-king-elise-gg-black-label-cherry-red-hollowbody-electric-p-90-humbucker-combo-super-clean-like-new-w-hsc According to a 2012 review on Musicradar, "We have three pickup sources: the two Wilkinson magnetic pickups and the piezo elements of the tune-o-matic-style bridge that, like most hybrids, aims to provide an acoustic-like tonality to contrast and complement the conventional magnetic tones. Control of the passive magnetic pair is straightforward with a three-way toggle pickup selector, master volume and tone. The active piezo circuit is more involved with a volume and three-band EQ from three separate, centre-notched rotary controls. Finally, a three-way mode switch enables magnetic or piezo individually or both together." The complete review Fret-King Black Label Elise GG review | MusicRadar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudshark Posted April 12, 2022 Share Posted April 12, 2022 3 hours ago, LucSulla said: A telecaster and two boat paddles. I can make that joke. I grew up 90-minutes from Meridian, MS, haha. Even those old T-60s have climbed on up there. I was toolin' my rig down the blacktop on the 20 and wishing I could go the the Jimmie Rodgers Museum. I had my ears on and knew there was a full grown bear ahead. When I saw him, I pulled over behind him. It surprised him to see a trucker approaching the car. I asked him where there was a place I could park my rig so I could visit the museum. He told me to follow him and led me to a place where I could park. "Hop in, driver." He took me to the museum then gave me a ride back. Helluva nice guy. He said he picked bluegrass. I can still see the bubble gum machines light up as a goodbye wave. That's the good stuff, I gotta say. That was a favorite memory of mine.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmatthes Posted April 12, 2022 Share Posted April 12, 2022 3 hours ago, LucSulla said: A telecaster and two boat paddles. I can make that joke. I grew up 90-minutes from Meridian, MS, haha. Even those old T-60s have climbed on up there. I was in a college band and traded off between guitar/bass duties. I borrowed the bassist's T-40 and he borrowed my beloved Red Hamer Special w/Floyd. That bass was the heaviest thing I've ever played! Honestly, it was hideous too, but sounded pretty damned good through his Ampeg! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stobro Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 A quick check of my stash reveals that I have 28 Peavey guitars and basses. All USA made, early to mid '80s models that I had at least some small part in designing. Except for my T-40, which predates my employment there by about 5 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biz Prof Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 8 minutes ago, stobro said: A quick check of my stash reveals that I have 28 Peavey guitars and basses. All USA made, early to mid '80s models that I had at least some small part in designing. Except for my T-40, which predates my employment there by about 5 years. Does that include a Hydra? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stobro Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 11 hours ago, Biz Prof said: Does that include a Hydra? You Betcha'! (I had to make my own case for it.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbilly Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 On 4/12/2022 at 8:27 AM, LucSulla said: I see what you did there. If a person is willing to do the legwork (stop in at pawn shops several times a week, over a period of months), there are still some fantastic deals out there. The 'treasure hunt' can be fun, but it is discouraging to go months without seeing any great buys, - although there is often something interesting to look at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stonge Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 On 4/10/2022 at 3:39 PM, JGravelin said: Golden Age for cheapie guits right now. Everyone is CNC, high tolerances, etc: electronics and pickups and output jack can be upgraded later just like PLENTY of people do on high-dollar brands daily. Run the racks. Epi, ESP, Schecter, Godin, Yamaha, Squire, Harley Benton, MIM Fender... put your hands on as many as you can and find a good one. Behold, my $200 partscaster shred machine. Yes it's a total smokeshow but it actually, truly rips! would you believe what popped up on the local CL? https://hartford.craigslist.org/msg/d/bristol-1980s-cimar-ibanez-flying/7460868858.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbilly Posted April 13, 2022 Share Posted April 13, 2022 3 hours ago, stonge said: would you believe what popped up on the local CL? https://hartford.craigslist.org/msg/d/bristol-1980s-cimar-ibanez-flying/7460868858.html and it has a normal bridge! I've got an X series Ibanez from 83-ish, I kept it because it doesn't have one of their oddball bridges, but a strat type. It was wall art in my kids room for quite a few years. I think I paid about $100 for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCChris Posted July 14, 2022 Share Posted July 14, 2022 This Schecter only slightly resembles the '80s Pete Townshend model it's supposedly based on, but it certainly appears to be a good value for $899: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PTVNN--schecter-pt-van-nuys-natural#modal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
currypowder Posted July 14, 2022 Share Posted July 14, 2022 I'm still finding very nice MIJ guitars for sale in Japan that are falling under $1K, including shipping to the US. For instance, just a week ago I bought this high end 2009 Tokai SG. It' specs include a 1 piece Honduran mahogany body and lacquer finish. It's a non catalog model due to its color and maestro vibrato. I hope to have it next week sometime, it should be killer. I see Edwards guitars all the time for well under $1K, sometimes half that. All of the Edwards I've owned have been very nice. Here's a good example of one that's right at $450 - https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/1057158091 I realize it isn't easy to buy from Japan, but it can be done using a proxy. And right now, the USD/Yen exchange rate is so favorable it's making pulling the trigger way more than I should very very hard to resist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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